Latest Expat Stories

Ethnic Native Groups in Panamá, Part I

The Guna Yala´s, from San Blas, Darién, Republic of Panamá

Ethnic facts
 
The people living in this region were first called "Tunelagá".  Then after their 1925San Blas Guna Yala Women, Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living rebellion, their name was changed to "Republic of Tulé".  According to historical information, this community was helped by a Canadian adventurer named Richard Marsh .  Then, they were known as the "San Blas district", and their name was based on the first name that...

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Early Impressions of Panama -- from 2007

Many people have this idea that Panama is a backward place with grinding poverty, poor infrastructure, political instability and lots of risk for investors. In fact, while there is poverty there in relative terms, the people are happy, relaxed, friendly and open. Much of the country is pretty much like parts of California or the American south, and was so, long before swarms of gringos arrived at the start of the current economic boom. 

What is happening in Panama is truly...

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Video Calls Work for Homesickness When Living Overseas

Seeing the grandchildren on Skype is a wonderful way to feel in touch and close. Listening to Livvy sing a new song or watching Noah play with a new toy just makes our day!
Olivia & Noah – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
 
We see the smiles, the bumps, the new outfits. It is a such a delight to enjoy the time on the camera. The kids can see us too.
 
Skype is free on the computer or you can upgrade to various paid for services. It works well on a cell too to be able...

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BEAUTIFUL CONTADORA ISLAND, PANAMA

North and South America were divided by the sea, until the Isthmus of Panama was created three million years ago. It was the biggest and reportedly the most significant geological event in 60 million years. Prior to that date as the Earth's plates began to join, the Pearl Islands emerged from the sea. Indigenous tribes lived on many of the Pearl Islands, including Contadora, and Pre-Columbian artifacts have been found there. The biggest island in the chain is Isla del Rey where more...

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Historical Ft. San Lorenzo, Colón, Panamá

Fort San Lorenzo, Colon, Panama

Continuing with the history of the beautiful Fort Lorenzo in Colon Panama, looking towards the sea – Best Places In The World To Retire – International LivingCaribbean ocean coast of Panama, one of the oldest tourist sites is the San Lorenzo Fort, near Portabelo and Fort Sherman, built by King Felipe II, from Spain in 1598, situated at the entrance of the large Chagres River, in the province of Colon, Republic of Panama.

San Lorenzo Fort was declared a Patrimony for the Humanity by UNESCO in 1980 for several reasons, including it being historically...

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A Trip to The Atlantic - Fort Sherman Panama

New Canal Doors – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

One of the best things about moving to Panama is that I have met and I am now friends with people who I would have been likely to even meet at a coffee shop back in Toronto. My group of amigos range from 30 years to 65+ years in age and come from all walks of life and corners of the earth. In the last few months a group of these "unlikely's" as I would call them got together with a common interest and goal of completing a series of Triathlons in Panama. It really happened at a...

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The Dog

About two and a half weeks ago a stray dog got locked in our landlady’s garage.  She howled all night but we thought that our landlady was just keeping the dog for a friend.  It wasn't until the next morning, when we asked if we could walk the dog, we realized that she had no idea that a dog was trapped in her garage.  She even walked the neighborhood to find the source of the unhappy dog howls.

At that point, she was freed and she became our compound dog. We live in...

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Thank God for technology and exercise!

It's funny but when we moved to Panama, I kind of figured that I would not get that homesick, because my family was with me.  Boy, was I wrong!
 
Think about it for a minute....new country, new language, new city, new work setting, new work colleagues, new home setting, new cars, new EVERYTHING.  Nothing felt comfortable and nothing felt stable for a very long time. 
 
Thank goodness technology is where it is today.  Now, a phone call on Skype can't...

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Have A Backup Plan!

We think that we are smart because we found this near paradise called Panama; by my estimation that is about an 80% correct assumption. On most scales this country rates higher than others. So what is the problem you ask?
Boquete Panama Mountains – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
Recently a friend's demise caused the brain to kick into over drive:
  • What if I die or my spouse dies?
  • What if we don't have enough assets to pay the doctors and hospitals if we are sick?
  • What if we don't have a will in...

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Hospital Insurance in Panama

My husband is 73 and he was on several medications over the last few years in America. We have been in Panama only 10 months and he has cut his medications in half. He feels better, has more energy and feels less stressed. We attribute our good health to foods, climate, and less stressful lifestyle here. He has lost over 12 pounds, walks often and enjoys our life here.
 
We were paying almost $700 per month additional to Medicare for supplemental...

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